MMA News Round Up July 11, 2014

July 11, 2014

We highlight some of the biggest stories from around the MMA world. Here is your MMA News roundup for July 11, 2014.

Ali Bagautinov tests positive for EPO In what’s starting to become commonplace in the UFC, one of their fighters has been dinged with a failed drug test. Ali Bagautinov, who just fought Mighty Mouse Johnson for the flyweight title, failed a drug test testing positive for EPO. EPO is popular with cyclists and other athletes where endurance is a key to performance success. EPO increases the production of red blood cells making it easier to carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles during and after a workout. We’re nowhere near the tipping point on drugs in the UFC but as the promotion and athletic commissions get serious about testing, more fighters will test positive but it’s what is needed to help change the culture of cheating that’s been long part of combat sports.

John Dodson out for a year with ACL Injury The UFC Flyweight division continues to get thinner as first Bagautinov tests positive for EPO and now John Dodson is out with an ACL injury. Dodson has had a history on knee problems that he’s been able to fight through but this time the ACL completely tore. Dodson isn’t expected to return 2015 at the earliest. This is a big blow to the flyweight division because after Demetrious Johnson, Dodson is the clear number two in the division and a rematch looked to sell some tickets. Now the UFC will need to find the dominating Johnson an opponent that fans will be excited to see, Dodson was that opponent but now, who knows.

Ronda Rousey has a broken thumb UFC women’s champion Ronda Rousey suffered a broken thumb in her 16-second destruction of Alexis Davis at UFC175. She was already schedule to have knee surgery so the timing is ok. There was some hope that she could have saved the now canceled UFC176 card but with her knee and now her thumb, Rousey is on the shelf for a while. She’s eyeing the UFC’s New Years show for a return.